50 YEARS OF NEOCOLOR™II AQUARELLE: CARAN D’ACHE CELEBRATES HALF A CENTURY OF CREATIVITY WITH 15 VIBRANT NEW COLOURS

Since they first appeared in 1975, the Neocolor™ II Aquarelle wax pastels have become a true emblem of the Maison Caran d’Ache. The versatility and intensity of these water-soluble pastels’ pigments have won over generations of artists. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic range of watercolours, our workshop has launched a Special Edition with a special thematic set of 15 vibrant new colours and an exceptional Limited Edition wooden case.

From bright colours to pastels and dark hues, discover this exclusive assortment which enriches the original palette of the Neocolor™ II Aquarelle range.

In the early 1950’s, Caran d’Ache launched Neocolor™ I, a permanent wax pastel pencil that has since inspired generations of creative minds. Much more than just a simple pastel, Neocolor™ has found its way into the hands of some of the greatest artists such as Miró, Picasso and Karl Lagerfeld, to name just a few. While the vibrancy of the colours remains unmatched to this day, as a permanent pastel it didn’t allow artists to explore and experiment with the world of watercolour. In response, in 1975 Caran d’Ache created a water-soluble version, and the Neocolor™ II Aquarelle wax pastel was born. Now, 50 years later, water-soluble wax pastels have become a staple in fine arts thanks to its versatility and the intensity of its pigments.
 

The Maison Caran d’Ache has always manufactured the Neocolor™ II Aquarelle range in its Geneva workshop. With over a hundred years of know-how and expertise, Caran d’Ache masters the art of colour with unrivalled precision, thanks to highly-demanding artisanal work and constant striving for innovation. A worthy continuation of this unique heritage, the Neocolor™ II Aquarelle wax pastel has become a symbol of Swiss Made quality, and has been a source of pride for the Swiss manufacturer for several decades.

To commemorate this unique, 50-year-old heritage in the world of fine-arts, Caran d’Ache can reveal two exceptional creations that celebrate their iconic product: a Special Edition and a Limited Edition of the renowned Neocolor™ II Aquarelle pastels.

To mark this anniversary, Caran d’Ache has expanded its range of Neocolor™ II Aquarelle water-soluble pastels.

Five thematic palettes have been released - Pop, Lush, Portrait, Pastel and Dark – each including three exclusive new colours, bringing to 15 the total number of vibrant new shades:

• Pop stands out thanks to its vibrant hues and exclusive new colours: Tyrian Pink, Rose of Garance and Light Lilac. A palette of bright colours that bring zing and contrast to your watercolours.

• Lush pays tribute to verdant landscapes with a predominance of green and blue hues and the resulting lushness of its nuances: Skagen Blue, Chrysoprase Green and Aucuba Green. A perfect palette to capture the intensity of forests and meadows, from a soft green to a deep one.

• Portrait highlights a delicate range of warm and natural shades, which are ideal for recreating the diversity of skin tones. The intensity of Light Peony Yellow, the pastel Conch Pearl and the contrasting red of Light Wine Lees have come to supplement the range.

• Pastel offers soft and luminous hues which have been developed around a light wax base for a delicate and transparent watercolour end-result. Amazonite, Light Heliotrope and Peach Blossom join this palette which is ideal for colouring delicate and poetic scenes.

• Dark celebrates the power of contrasts through dark tones. The three exclusive colours, Zinc Ochre, Dark Garnet and Caput Mortuum, will bring a sense of strength and depth to your work.

Each set from this Special Edition contains 10 Neocolor™ II Aquarelle pastels (including three new shades), the perfect opportunity for artists to push back the frontiers of drawing and watercolour with daring new colours.

To mark this historic anniversary, Caran d’Ache has pulled out all the stops with this high-quality wooden case that brings together 50 Neocolor™ II Aquarelle pastels in one box.

Among the selection you will find:

• 35 iconic colours from the existing range.
• 15 new colours developed specially for this anniversary.
• A blank colour chart to colour in.

Nestled in a precious PEFC-certified light beechwood case, the Limited Edition boxes will leave a lasting impression on all those who see them. Designed to be long-lasting, this exceptional Swiss Made wooden box showcases all the qualities of the Neocolor™ pastels: intensity of the pigments, richness of the colours, durability of the wax and water-solubility.

With these Special and Limited Edition Neocolor™ II Aquarelle ranges, Caran d’Ache is honouring five decades of passion, innovation and know-how. A unique opportunity to give creatives, artists and art-lovers a gift that’s as precious as it is inspiring.

The thematic palettes and the Neocolor™ II Aquarelle wooden case embody the spirit of creative freedom that Caran d’Ache has embodied for over a century. These sets bring together vibrant colours, shades that are both deep and soft to accompany every creative impulse.

Gifting an exceptional wooden case or a Neocolor™ II Aquarelle thematic palette is guaranteed to stir the sensitivities of every creative person, from beginners to accomplished artists. More than just water-soluble pastels, the new thematic assortments are an endless source of emotions and ideas.

🖍️ Are you just starting out with watercolour? Learn about our techniques to use Caran d’Ache water-soluble colouring pencils!